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Let's Try That Again Redux - Chapter 11
🕑 Added 2024-06-14 16:00:12 +0000 UTCHarry tumbled as the Port Key came to a stop. The private car had taken them to Grimmauld Place to drop off his things. Then there was a short walk to the Port Key. He had hoped that he had skipped the need for most magical travel. Sirius and Remus arrived at the campground strolling out as the Port Key came to a stop. Harry, however, landed in a loud thump flat on his back.
Sirius laughed as he held out a hand to Harry.
"I should have gotten you neutered over the summer." Harry grumbled as he stood up.
Remus howled with laughter.
"That's not funny, pup." Sirius glared at him. "It's bad enough that your uncle was in talks to have be stud a few litters."
"Like that wouldn't be the first-" Remus was stopped by a stinging hex to his foot. "What?"
"Finish that sentence and the summer of our sixth year will be next." Sirius tried to look angry at Remus.
"You wouldn't dare." Remus stared right back.
"So, there we were, fresh off the Express when Moony here gets an idea." Sirius started.
"Me?" Remus practically yelled. "It was you and Prongs!"
The two men broke down into a hushed argument. Harry found himself smiling again. This was already a better World Cup than the last time.
Sirius led Remus and Harry along the row of tents. Just like last time they were anything but inconspicuous. They passed an auror dealing with the man in charge. The poor muggle running the campground was already looking a bit confused. Harry knew what constant exposure to Obliviate could do to a person.
He stepped up to the auror in charge of the man. "There's a better way to handle that."
The auror, whom Harry didn't recognize, shot him with an annoyed look. "Do tell."
"Create a logical fallacy loop." Harry explained.
"What?" The auror scrunched up his face at the words.
"Here." Harry stepped up to the muggle. He waved his wand in front of the man's face, subtly ripping off the Jedi Mind Trick motion. "Fraudulentiae Cogitatio."
The muggle blinked. His eyes scanned the campground around him. He shook his head, then went back to talking to people as they arrived.
"What did you do?" The auror asked.
"Like I said, it's a logical fallacy loop." Harry explained. "When he sees something magical his thoughts remind him that magic isn't real, therefore what he saw wasn't real. He'll remember it as a trick of the light, or that he was sleep deprived, or something like that. It should last for about three days. Cast it again after two, just to be safe."
"Who are you?" The auror asked in awe.
"Harry Potter." Harry winked at the man before rejoining Sirius and Remus.
"Where did you learn that?" Sirius whispered.
"I've done a lot of reading up on mental magics." Harry explained, which wasn't exactly a lie. It just so happened that he learned the spell ten years in the future. "I picked up a bunch of books over the summer to expand my spell work. You'd be amazed at all the things that are overlooked or ignored these days." He looked from Sirius to Remus. "Almost like someone is trying to limit the knowledge that gets out."
"No." Remus muttered. "How could he get away with that?"
"I'm sure that the Purebloods were perfectly happy to restrict the knowledge to others." Harry shrugged. "It's not like they wouldn't know it, what with all the family grimoires and such. All Dumble's would have to do was look the other way and we know how good he is at that when it fits his plans."
Sirius clapped his hands.
"Enough of that." He said loudly. "We are here to relax and have some fun. Harry, this is the World Cup. Over the next few days witches from all over the world will come here. There will be drinking, dancing, singing, and hearts to steal. Shops, restaurants, and buskers will do their best to tempt you to spend your coin."
"Sirius." A female voice said from nearby. "You're nowhere near the tent."
Harry turned to see Andromeda Tonks standing nearby. The smile on her face was brighter than any Harry remembered. A pang of regret hit him. He hadn't spent nearly as much time with her or Teddy as he should have. Harry latched onto the train of thought and pushed it down. That was not going to happen this time.
"Harry." Sirius hopped between Harry and Andromeda. "This lovely woman is Andromeda Tonks. My favorite cousin."
She looked at him. Her eyes were full of hope and love. Last time they hadn't for a few more years. Things were a bit of a whirlwind around then, but he didn't remember her so vibrant. She was beautiful. Andromeda looked quite similar to Bellatrix, except she wasn't half-starved, filthy, nor out of her mind. Her hair was black, rather than blonde, like Narcissa, but Harry could see the resemblance.
"Hello." Harry smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you."
"No. That will not do." Andromeda stepped closer, wrapping him into a hug.
Harry froze for a moment. There was something familiar about her. Not just from his former life. The feel of her arms around him, her smell. It was a distant memory that he couldn't tease into the light. For once it wasn't some sort of memory charm that he had to fight through, but simply the flow of time.
"I." Harry returned the hug. "I've met you before?"
Andromeda put him at arms-length but held onto him. She nodded.
"James and I were friends growing up. Lily was too once they were married." Andromeda stared at him in wonder. "You used to love to play with my hair when I held you."
It was the first time, in either life, that he had heard this. The words rang true though. Something about her felt like family, more than the memories of his other life.
"I'm sorry." Harry spoke softly. "I don't remember."
"You were a year old at most." Andromeda chuckled. "If anyone, you'll remember Nymphadora."
"Oi!" A young woman called from nearby.
Harry turned to see Tonks moving toward them. Her hair shifted from bright curly blonde then to short, spiked pink.
"Don't call me Nymphadora." She groaned and rolled her eyes.
"It's your name." Andromeda sighed. "Why shouldn't I?"
"Wotcher, Harry." The young woman turned to face him. "Good to see you again."
Tonks led him toward a couple of tents. One of which could have passed for a luxury muggle tent, and the other that looked like an inflatable castle but made of actual stone. "Guess which one is Sirius'?"
Harry nodded to the castle.
"Ding. Ding. Ding." Her hair flashed gold as she spoke. "Give the boy a prize."
She opened the tent belonging to her family and motioned for him to come in.
"You really remember me?" Nym asked.
"Pointy nose and rainbow hair." Harry smiled softly at her. "Thought you were my imaginary friend."
Her nose sharpened out to a point and her hair began to shift through a myriad of colors. Harry couldn't help but laugh. There was a tingle in the back of his mind that hinted at so many faded memories.
"Is that why you never wrote back?" She asked softly.
"I never got any letters." Harry scooted over to her. It felt natural to give her a hug.
"I thought you hated me." Tonks squeezed him. "You didn't even look at me in your first year."
"Nym." Harry held her tight. "Sirius and I need to talk to you, and your parents, about something important. It will explain a lot. I just have to make sure you're safe first."
She scoffed. "I'm supposed to be the one protecting you."
"Is the wedding back on?" Sirius asked as he bounded into the room.
"What?" Harry looked over to his godfather confused.
"Nymphadora." Sirius scolded, as he wisely dodged her curse. "You shouldn't keep secrets from your betrothed."
Harry looked back to Tonks. Her hair was now bright red and spiky, though these were rather long and looked solid. Tonks burst out of the hug. She chased Sirius around the room sending little zaps from her wand after him. A moment later Remus, Andromeda, and Ted entered the tent.
"I'm lost." Harry looked up at Andromeda.
The trio didn't seem surprised by Tonks chasing Sirius. Remus shook his head as he promptly exited the tent. Andromeda and Ted crossed the small space to stand in front of Harry. He hadn't gotten to know Ted much in his last life. At one point he was sure they had to have had a conversation, but it was hard to think of something solid. Ted was a little shorter than Andromeda. He wore the aged smile lines on his face proudly.
"Harry." She smiled at him. "This is my husband, Ted."
"Nice to meet you, sir." Harry held out his hand.
"None of that." Ted pulled Harry into a hug.
Harry awkwardly patted the man on the back.
"Sorry." Ted blushed a bit. "Forgot you don't know me. I can't tell you how many times we had to rescue you from Nymphadora."
"Not you too, dad!" Tonks yelled.
"I'm a little lost." Harry spoke slowly. "Sirius said something about a wedding and being betrothed. Now you're talking about rescuing me."
Andromeda, Sirius, and Ted laughed. Tonks glared at the three while Harry stood getting more confused by the moment. Apparently, there was a lot about his life he still didn't know.
"She was your Nummy, and you were her Harry." Andromeda explained after a moment. "There were a few times where you somehow found yourself tucked in my purse when it was time for us to go home."
"Not to mention all the times our little Dora told us she was going to marry you." Ted added.
"I was six." Tonks huffed.
Harry smiled at her. He took in the moment around him. The feeling of love filled the room. His expression hardened.
"Sirius." His gaze met his godfathers'. "We need to tell them everything."
Sirius let out a long sigh. "I know. Let's get it over with."
~§~
Sirius and Harry told them everything. Well, everything except the fact that Harry was a time-traveling soon-to-be avatar of death. Not even Sirius knew that, and Harry had no intention in ever telling him. Or anyone for that matter.
The evening was willed with raised voices, tears, quite a bit of cursing, and finally settled into an expanded alliance. The Tonks family were going to take extra care to prevent mental manipulation. They didn't have near as much exposure to Dumbledore, but it didn't hurt to be safe. Andi, Ted, and Nym had thoughts on who they could trust. It wasn't until Tonks mentioned Moody that Harry realized how quickly things were moving.
Harry excused himself after a long discussion. The fun night had turned into an impromptu Anti-Twinkles Club meeting. He knew that it was just a matter of time before someone came up with a name for the group. Magical folk loved naming things.
As much as Harry wanted to simply pass out after such a tiring day, he found he couldn't sleep. Sirius had shown Harry to his room in the castle tent. The interior was ridiculous, but he expected nothing less from Sirius. There was something else that was bothering him. A little idea he had that wasn't quite in focus, but it wouldn't leave him alone.
Tonks had mentioned Moody. This year Barty would capture the old man and take over his life via Polyjuice potion. Doing so would allow him access to setting Harry up for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He could stop all of it simply by killing Barty. It wasn't just that. There was something else. The changes were already making things hard to figure out. Last time around he'd be having the dream about Tom killing the old man about now.
Would they still be at the mansion?
"Death. Do you have a moment?" Harry said.
"What's up?" She asked plopping onto the bed near him.
"Am I interrupting?" Harry asked.
"Nope." Death held out a hand, wiggling her fingers. A few coins she had hung in the air where her hand had been. "We're talking on Dream Time right now."
"Explain please." Harry watched as the coins didn't shift at all.
"Dream time, how time moves in dreams." She snatched the coins as she hopped to her feet. "Death uses a variation of it as well. You know." Her casual clothes swapped out to those of an elaborate classical dress. "To sleep! To dream! No more! And in that sleep of death what dreams may come!"
Her clothes changed back into her previous casual outfit.
"I'm sure that will make sense when I'm not so fucking tired." Harry grumbled.
"Mental fatigue sucks." Death nodded. "What did you need?"
"I need to find Nagini, she's the last horcrux." Harry said. "Last time, she was with Voldemort at the old Riddle Manor. With everything that has changed I don't know if they are still there. There's no guarantee that she's with him right now."
"Then just pop over to where she is." Death shrugged. "Just like you did with Bellatrix."
"Would that work with Nagini?" Harry asked.
"Death isn't limited to humans." She paused. "Or witches. Wizards. Whatever. They're basically still human."
"Thanks." Harry smiled and shook his head at her. "Looks like I've got some work to do."
Harry shifted off his bed and stood. He summoned Excalibur, closed his eyes, and concentrated on Nagini. The world around him shifted in an instant. It was colder, the air had a musty smell to it, and the creaking of wood surrounded him.
He opened his eyes to find that he wasn't in the mansion at all. Harry was standing on the deck of a rickety old boat. One that was sailing along the clouds. Nagini was curled up around a bundle of clothe that tucked against the side of the boat. She appeared to be sleeping. Harry scanned the immediate area. Nothing looked familiar. The only other person was a glassy-eyed witch that was holding onto the rudder. She didn't appear to even know Harry was there.
Harry spun the sword blade down and stabbed it through the top of Nagini's head. She was dead before she knew what had happened. A thin wisp of smoke bubbled in the air before fading away with hardly a scream.
"I'm sorry." Harry whispered.
"Who is there?" A shaky, thin voice spoke from nearby.
Harry tensed. He held Excalibur up at the ready, waiting for an attack. That voice. He knew it well. It was the very same one that the abomination that Voldemort had used in his dreams.
ŞNagini! Where are you?Ş
Movement near the dead snake caught his attention. The bundle was moving. Harry hooked the edge of the clothe with the blade and tugged it free. The twisted thing that looked up at him was none other than Voldemort.
"Tom." Harry blinked. "I didn't expect to find you here."
"Potter?" Potato-mort hissed. "What are you doing here? Where is Nagini?"
"Funny story." Harry squatted down to get a closer look at the creature. "I've been destroying the all the horcruxes you had created, and she was the last one. Now that she's dead, you are just a sad sack of whatever you are."
"Lies!" Riddle cried.
"You know, I've always wanted to ask." Harry uncovered Riddle completely and propped him up so they could see each other. "Are you an idiot?"
"You will not speak to me in such a way. I am Lord Voldemort!"
"You are Tom Riddle. I would say junior, or the second, but we both know that's not true." Harry dismissed Excalibur. "You're what, sixty or seventy years old? You've been chasing immortality since you were a kid and a horcrux was the best you could come up with? A squib could live until they're over a hundred with hardly any effort. A wizard of your supposed caliber should have been able to hit at least one-fifty. That's before potions regimens to improve your health, charms, magical artifacts, and creature magic brought into the picture."
"You know nothing of me and my goals!" The Dark Lord Potato Head screamed.
"It's a shame, really." Harry sighed. "You probably would have inadvertently saved the world if you'd managed to kill Dumbledore."
"What?"
"Old twinkle-eyes has been playing the long game." Harry summoned Excalibur as he stood. "He's set you up to be the next dark lord he vanquishes. I, sadly, die while fighting you. He steps in, saves the day, and once again is the next Merlin. Hell, they might even start calling Merlin the first Dumbledore."
"We can work together to stop him." Voldemort hissed.
"He would never see that coming." Harry muttered.
He paused, more to let Riddle stew than actually consider it.
"But there's one problem with that plan." Harry straightened his stance.
"What?" Riddle whispered.
"I really want to kill you." Harry brought the blade down.
Tom Riddle, the Dark Lord Voldemort, had just enough time to understand the words before Excalibur sliced through his warped form. An expression of sheer terror was forever etched into its visage. Harry felt the boat under him lurch. The witch that had been guiding the boat had slumped over. She was dead, he could see that now. The magic that was keeping her animated had stopped once Riddle died. Now, the rickety old boat was rushing toward the ground.
Harry wasn't sure how far, or how long, the fall was going to take. He thought of the room in the tent and appeared there a moment later. Harry dismissed Excalibur. He needed a shower, some fire whiskey, and a couple days of sleep. Not in that order.
He trudged through the hallway in search of the bathroom. It took a couple of tries, but eventually he found a gently lit room with a claw-foot tub. Harry gave a short chuckle as the tub began to fill with water. He stripped off his clothes and settled in.
It was done. The last horcrux had been destroyed. Voldemort was dead. The future life that he had known was completely and utterly gone. There were still a few people that needed to pay for their past-future-current sins, but they were scattered without Voldemort to rally behind.
Fenrir Greyback couldn't be left alive. Not to mention a smattering of Death Eaters. Umbridge. There was no way that he was letting her live.
Harry took a deep breath. He let the hot water loosen his muscles. Killing them wasn't just about revenge. Revenge did play a big part, but there was more to it than that. Removing them from the equation meant that he could focus on Dumbledore. The old man knew how to stack the deck in his favor. If Dumbledore was using Voldemort and the Death Eaters as a way to keep the focus away from him, then it only made sense to get rid of them.
Voldemort was dead.
This was just the beginning.
Comments
Daeron Targaryen
Good for Harry wohoo
